Cleaning Your Airducts!

Did you know you should have your air ducts cleaned every 2 to 3 years to prevent many maintenance and health problems before they start?  However, homes with pets or children with allergies should have their air ducts professionally cleaned more frequently than the recommended average. I have three cats and a dog so we were advised to have the air ducts cleaned and sanitized once a year.  Air duct cleaning should be a regular part of your ongoing home maintenance.

We moved into our home in 2017 and had not had this done.  Oops! This is what the setup looks like.  It did smell cleaner once they were done.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that indoor air can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. These impurities present in the air recirculate throughout your household via air ducts, which can harm your home and family. In addition to regular duct work cleaning by a licensed HVAC and indoor air quality contractor, a more prompt appointment to get your ducts in a row may be required under the circumstances below

Visible Mold Or Musty Smell

Mold loves to grow in humid and damp, hard-to-reach places, like your air ducts. Hmm, I think if you live in South Carolina you might have noticed this smell. I have smelled that in a lot of older homes and businesses in the area.  If you see physical mold, smell a mustiness in the air, or are experiencing symptoms from itchiness to coughing, a cleaning should be administered on the contaminated duct work.

Pest Infestation

Creepy crawlers can make themselves at home in your ducts and contaminate the air that is carried throughout the house with their debris and odor. If you see pests in or around duct work or notice a decline in your system’s performance, a proper cleaning can eradicate vermin and prevent them from bugging you any longer.  Who knew?

Excess Dust or Debris

Another reason why to clean air ducts: dust, pet dander, dead skin cells, and dangerous allergens can build up over time in duct work. This excess debris can manifest visibly in poofs of dust that are released from air vents. Build up can put you and your family at risk for respiratory and other health issues, while decreasing the system’s air flow and performance.  Good to know.

Excessive Cold Or Allergy-like Symptoms

If your ducts are dirty, they circulate contaminated air that can trigger or even cause allergy and cold-like symptoms for those living within the home. Dust mites that feed on human debris can reside within buildup in air ducts and cause asthmatic and allergic reactions.  Eww!

If you are looking to buy a home this is also something to be mindful of.  A home inspection will only point out areas of concern. Be sure to ask your realtor for advice.

If you are thinking about buying, selling or renting I’d love to show you what I and Coldwell Banker Realty can offer to make the process easier!